For students at an international American school like CEIA, the journey to higher education in the United States typically flows through two primary digital gateways: the Common App and the College Board. Our school proudly serves as an official SAT Test Center, which makes it easier for our students to access the countless possibilities of earning a scholarship in a United States-recognized university or college.

The process begins with the College Board, where students manage their academic profile by registering for and sending scores from standardized tests like the SAT or Advanced Placement (AP) exams, credentials that provide a standardized metric for international applicants. Simultaneously, students use the Common App as their central command center to streamline the submission of a single initial application to multiple universities. This platform allows students to upload their personal essays, list extracurricular involvements, and coordinate with school counselors to submit official transcripts and “School Profiles” that explain the unique international curriculum of their institution. By linking these two platforms, students ensure that their holistic narrative, comprising their personal story, teacher recommendations, and rigorous test data, is delivered seamlessly to admissions offices worldwide.

Students don’t go through this process alone. The school counselor starts guiding them in 8th grade and continues through the senior year.